It is always good to be heard, but even better is to be listened to. Our society in general, and our government in particular, tends to disenfranchise individuals and their views, instead focusing on polls and mass surveys as intellectual shortcuts to what people think. After years of writing my Senators, Congressmen, and other elected officials, it is rare to get any response, much less one that validates your views and opinions to indicate they actually read it and thought about it. I do wish the internet and “modern” media could change that (they are really much more impersonal and “crowd” like), but this article emphasises how good the “old” media is at that. I do not look forward to the day when conventional newspapers and other media disappear.

As long as they make it clear which are the reader comments, I’m OK with it. It does offer differing views from people not paid to write (nothing personal on you SciGuy, since it seems you bend over backwards trying to be fair and balanced — one of the main reasons you’re so popular? LOL)

I am a Houston-based professional comedian. I have lived in the city for over 25 years. the city has been good to me but lately I am beginning to be bothered by storms, flooding and hurricanes. I have a bit about Hurricane Ike posted October 30, 2008 on yotube. I suggest building a wall. You and your blog-readers might get a kick out of it, Here is the link: